For those who are hypothyroid, I would suggest talking to a nutritionist who is very educated about thyroid issues. I was like you and thought I should stay away from soy and other healthy options. Depending on your level of thyroid function it most likely won’t make a difference. I basically have no thyroid function and my nutritionist told me to load up on soy and flax seed. 2 things I was told to avoid at all cost. The result? Lost weight, lowered my cholesterol and my labs are just as good as before. My levels are actually more stable now than anytime in the past when I avoided soy.

Please see an endocrinologist or nutritionist to see what is best for your individual situation.

Peter: You should look into reading Alicia Silverstone’s book ‘The Kind Diet’, which focuses on a macrobiotic vegan diet. Her book is filled with delicious and healthy recipes. You can also check out her blog: http://www.thekindlife.com/ Good luck!

I used to be macrobiotic and loved it. I know there is a difference, for instance some fish and unfertilized eggs are allowed, but everything was organic. Is there much difference between the two disciplines?

I’m interested in taking the 30 day challenge but my family isn’t going to be as open to the challenge. I have a 4 year old who has since growing teeth loved chicken. Any child friendly dishes or ideas? Are there any good educational web sites pertaining to vegans?

In response to Janis – fortunately you are at a point where you can do something about high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I can tell you what has worked for me and you can use or not use what works for you. I am 63 years old, and happy to say that when age comes up most people think I am in my forties. I have been vegetarian for 31 years (I occasionally ate a little fish, and vegan for the last 7 years. My cholesterol is perfect, my blood pressure is perfect, and I stay at 126 lbs. I think the best thing you could to avoid going on meds is to adopt an exercise program, in addition to a new diet. I walk 4 miles a day, 6 days a week, and lift weights 3 days a week. In addition to avoiding animal products, embracing an ORGANIC whole food diet is equally important. By eating organically you not only help yourself, but also the environment, i.e. air, the ground water, the oceans, wildlife, and the farm workers.

As far as my diet is concerned I avoid items like white flour, white rice, white sugar and fried foods, as they are nutritionally void, and not healthy for you. I eat a vast array of vegetables, both cooked and raw, whole grains, nuts and seeds, olive oil, and soy products like miso, tempeh, and tofu. I stay away from most alternative non-meat products because they are highly processed. Once in a while I use Tofurky products as they are made from soybeans, rather than TVP. The Field Roast products are a tasty product line, but they use a lot of mushrooms, and mushrooms are heavily sprayed, and Field Roast does not use organic ingredients in their products. I make my own seitan when a recipe calls for a meat like substance. My bread intake is limited to Food For life, they make the Ezekiel bread which is made from sprouted grains, no flour. Trader Joe’s is a good source for many organic products at a reasonable price.

A good book to refer to is the Vegan Sourcebook by Joanne Stepaniak, M.S.ED. Although, I have to say that the absolute best book on healthy foods that I have read is Life Over Cancer by Keith Block. I read this book because a friend of mine has cancer, and I was hoping to gain some knowledge on the subject. As it turns out the diet Dr. Block recommends is so very similar to the diet my husband and I have come up with over the years.

I hope this helps. I know this is a lot of information to take in, but with time you will see that it becomes second nature, and you will find yourself thinking, “how did I ever eat that other junk”.

Muffin – I too am hypothyroid. I have been a vegan for over 2 years, vegetarian for 5 years prior to that. I am aware of the soy issue for us and I only consume fermented soy products like Bragg’s Amino Acids and tempeh which I love and use in many dishes. It’s the unfermented soy that we should avoid. As for your love of sausage – you must try Field Roast sausage links. They are absolutely delicious! Three flavors – apple sage, Italian and Mexican chorizo. Made with items such as apples, eggplant, mushrooms, oats and yummy spices for great flavor. They can be crumbled and sautéed with olive oil and are a wonderful accompaniment to vegan French toast, pancakes or scrambled tempeh. Also great in pasta dishes. I’ve used the sausage in casseroles that we’ve taken to brunch/pot luck’s and people can’t believe its vegan sausage! http://www.fieldroast.com/

I am commited to treating animals ethicaly. I refuse to buy meat from a graocery store,& i only buy milk from local farms. I still eat eggs, but that’s because i get them from my own chickens.I am not commited to a vegan diet becasue i think dairy can be consumed without harming animals If bought from local farmers, or rasied yourself. I am commited to trying a vegitarian diet for 30 days. Not sure how it will go as i LOVE maple breakfast sausage. It’s the one thing i can’t imagine living without. I personally don’t get the whole Vegan idea. I also have hypoactive thyroid and i am not supose to eat soy products, so i think it might be a little more challenging for me. Also, having fresh veggies on hand can get expensive and time consuming as they go bad fast. Any tips for dealing with this problem?

Having just had my annual physical I was awakened to the fact I need to do something now to help my body and also the earth. I am 55 and showing signs of high cholesteral and High blood pressure. My doctor has warned me that if I don’t change my life style I will be on meds for those things soon. I have tried mock meats before, but am worried about the high salt content in them. Any sugesstions for those watching their blood pressure?

I’ve never tried the meat-flavored foods. I decided to go vegetarian because I think we abuse animals and that we were never meant to eat them. My mother is all for not eating red meat but still eats chicken, and it’s hard for me to live in a house where the people I cook for are completely addicted to surviving off of death. Meat-like products help me trick them.

If having faux meat products helps more people become vegan, isn’t that preferable? Not everyone will committ to a plant based diet, but at least simulated meat products means more people not killing animals to eat!

I am a newbie vegetarian and am loving the new life I am leading. However, I was a meat-eater for 32 years of my life. Feras, it is a huge transition for ex-meat eaters as myself. When you have something for SO long it takes time for your body to adjust to not having meat and meat flavored foods anymore. The “faux” beef, sausage, chicken etc. help us to transition. They aren’t unethical they just help. So be patient with those of us who haven’t been blessed as you have to the totally vegan diet preference yet

I am now fully vegan and I don’t use any fake meat products or flavours, I have learned to enjoy my plant based diet for its natural flavours.
Having said that I can understand why some people would find it easier to be vegan/vegetarian if they can have something that tastes like meat or dairy products…

Hi Feras, thanks for your comment! There is nothing unethical about eating delicious foods. The purpose of this guide is to show people that they can still enjoy the flavors they love, without harming any animals. All of the items in this list are vegan. YUM!

Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights? Read more.